'Bones' recap: Which one of them is 'acutely aware'?

This episode could not have come at a better time. Not because it taught us about the rivalry between death metal and black metal bands. (Apparently, it's over who can use the word "legendary" in the most annoying manner.) But because there's been mixed feelings on the characters of Brennan and Sweets as of late: Why has she emotionally and socially regressed? Why is he being integrated so heavily into the investigations? Regardless of whether you saw the final scene in Sweets' office as Brennan's redemption for her recent blunt blunders or an example of the reasoning and empathy she's actually capable of, you have to admit it was effing fantastic.

So Gordon Gordon (guest star Stephen Fry) returned to tell Booth that he was retiring and to chat with Sweets, who'd asked him to read the manuscript of the book he's writing on Booth and Brennan. Being the brilliant, cryptic man that he is, he informed Sweets that his premise was completely wrong: Booth and Brennan are not opposites and they aren't sublimating the attraction they feel for one another because it would threaten their professional relationship. One of them is acutely aware of it and struggles with it daily. He wouldn't say which one. Did he mean Booth or Brennan? I say the answer is clearly Booth. Brennan knows that she respects, trusts, and cares for Booth (and that he has sexy symmetrical features) but I don't think her mind is ready to acknowledge her romantic feelings for him. In order for her to feel Big Love, she has to believe it exists first. That's what she's focused on: The idea of it instead of the idea that HE is it. Booth, on the other hand, has been dealing with his feelings since at least "The Baby in the Bough," when he let the "we" and "our" slip. (Probably before. Remember how he reacted when Brennan kissed him on the cheek when he let Russ visit his sick stepdaughter in the hospital before arresting him? That little foot stomp. Swoon. There are so many moments I could point to here...) And let's talk about that final scene last night (embedded above.) He wouldn't have revealed that information about his past -- if it hadn't been for his grandfather, he probably would've killed himself as a kid (presumably to get away from his violent, alcoholic father) -- for anyone but her. And did you see the way he looked down at the pocket over his heart when she put his handkerchief back in it? Yes, her hand might've lingered, but he reached his up to touch where hers had been and gave that look that David Boreanaz gives so well. The kind you rewind to see again. He knows how he feels. And he knows he can't rush her. And that's the struggle.

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however though you say she is not ready to accept I still belive it could be Brennan. although i completly agree with your reasoning for it to be booth there is still the underlying fact that Bones said that she did not belive in love. Therefore her feelings for booth could be there and she is struggling to understand them and she started fighting against them. Booth probably would not have confessed about his childhood had Brennan not been there we all know that booth trusts her and obviously has feelings for her yet we cannot jump to any conclutions based on simple body language because each of your booth ideas could also be counted by a Brennan idea.

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I think we've all thought for a long time now that Booth is the one that knows of the attraction between them but he doesn't let on. I think that Brennen would have been incapable of keeping that information or her subsequent feelings to herself and would have confided in or spoken to Booth regarding the matter. The fact that she hasn't, to me, atleast suggests that she isn't aware of it.
Booth reacts far more strongly when someone else shows an interest in Brennen...example yanks in the UK. I agree with you on most of your points, especially today's episode...I do believe Booth expressed alot in just that look and then placing his hand over where hers had been.

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Thanks for the wonderful post, maxgt.Your description of Booth' feelings almost made me cry. And you are right. It's definetely Booth. He has struggeled with his feelings for her for a while now and hopefully it will finally come out in the open in the season finale...can't wait to see it. Still can't believe what the spoilers say. (And I won't say it her because some of you might not wanna know)

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Agreed. It's for sure Booth. Brennan's totally incapable of remaining quiet on the matter. And he always has those little jealousy moments, where he goes all over protective, like you said. =] And remember the Christmas kiss? His reaction was way strong. ;)

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Maxgt You put it so perfectly. One of my favorite slip moments was when he was on the pain meds for his back and his loose lips started talking about Brennan. So cute. I have been keep track of the spoilers and cannot wait to see what is coming.

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That and I think the little hint at the end of the show where it shows Sweets' paper with a new name "Bones: Heart of the Matter." This could probably be taken a few different ways but I think it is about Booth and that he is struggling with his feelings because the matter of his heart is Bones. Maybe? I think so.

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^^^I see what you mean and actually I thought I was reading too much into it or over-thinking it...but because we think it's pretty obvious that Booth is the one grappling with his feelings everyday...that they're going to pull a 180 on us and make it Bones...and the hint maybe suggests that its...Bones...the matter of her heart.

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Well ive read all of the above and i agree, but... bones seems to care a whole lot about what booth thinks... its almost as if she admires him...and that whole scene where she went and shared the whole bit about her parents... she would never have done that if she didnt think booth was gonna do the same.I think bones is acutely aware and she just manages to rationally justify not saying anything... thats why she keeps trying to explain her point that people shouldnt settle down with just one person...I have to call on the situation when the blind guy asked her out... she said no... she could justify saying yes... but i think it was because of booth that she didnt.